return to points

My dyna s ignition died for the second time, so I am reverting back to points (at least for now). My question is can I still use my Dyna 3ohm coils and cables with the points?

I see no problem,primary(small wires) side of the coils will read between 1.8 to 3.0 ohms. Some of the higher performance seekers are using the 2.2 ohm Dyna coils, but it's only useable at very high rpm's

Thanks I was hoping I could use them.
Bill

Have you contacted Dyna about the Ignition failures? Seems like they would warranty the Ignition for you.
Another avenue would be getting a later model Kaw setup, as they are quite stout and reliable.

Have you ever put a volt meter on the battery to make sure the charging system isn't putting out too much voltage? If it's over 15v, then something is wrong... (possibly the regulator).

Rev wrote: My dyna s ignition died for the second time, so I am reverting back to points (at least for now). My question is can I still use my Dyna 3ohm coils and cables with the points?

I don't think so. The coil will dissipate too much power and cook. The low impedance (less than four Ohm) coils are OK with electronic ingitions because the coil is not "on" continuously, but with points, the coil current flows a larger percentage of the time and if you leave the key on for any period of time not running... it can be on 100% which will fry it.

Z1 sells a 4 Ohm Emgo coil for use with points that costs $36. It's the one I have been running for about 5 years, works fine.

From Z1enterprises' site:
"Never select a coil with a lower resistance than your ignition system - this will cause the coils to overheat and burn out... It is OK to select coils with a slightly higher resistance. For example 3.0 ohm coils with a 1.5 ohm CDI ignition. While this isn't optimal, it works and allows you to switch your CDI ignition over to a Dyna-S in the future".

bountyhunter wrote:

Rev wrote: My dyna s ignition died for the second time, so I am reverting back to points (at least for now). My question is can I still use my Dyna 3ohm coils and cables with the points?

I don't think so. The coil will dissipate too much power and cook. The low impedance (less than four Ohm) coils are OK with electronic ingitions because the coil is not "on" continuously, but with points, the coil current flows a larger percentage of the time and if you leave the key on for any period of time not running... it can be on 100% which will fry it.

Z1 sells a 4 Ohm Emgo coil for use with points that costs $36. It's the one I have been running for about 5 years, works fine.

Actually, the Dyna S dwell is well over 300 degrees. The points are around 180 degrees. So if the coils can handle the Dyna S, they can surely handle the points.

The points, however, will have a shorter life with the 3 ohm coil over the 4 ohm coil, but will still work. Many have run 3 ohm coils with points.

In the case of leaving the ignition on, with the motor not turning, in extreme cases, people have reported coils melted into a blob of plastic and copper... definitely bad.

loudhvx wrote: Have you ever put a volt meter on the battery to make sure the charging system is putting out too much voltage? If it's over 15v, then something is wrong... (possibly the regulator).

Do this first! If there is voltage spikes you will just be burning up points. Make sure the ground from the voltage regulator is getting a good ground. Roy

Maybe I'm just been lucky with my Dyna...

From a technical perspective I'm with Loud on this one where why did it kill two EI units... Something is just not right here and I'd be looking at the charging/regulator for as mentioned, should be no higher then 14.5Vdc output regardless of the crank rpm...

If more then that, yup, going to cook something else sooner or later...

Just my two worthless cents...

I have older Andrews 3 ohm coils (blue in color) and older Blue Max plug wires using the stock ign (points & condensers) And it works fine. I did notice the plug wire silicone jackets near the plug boot were turning brown (all 4). So, I believe they are running much hotter. I have a Dyna S ign but still need to install it. So, it will work but it could poss. overload part of your elec system.

I would go over your Ign wiring and look for a gremilin. It could be you had bad luck with 2 bad Dynas, but the odds are pretty rare.

MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND THIS:

Electronic ignitions work by having some kind of transistor switch in series with the coil primary. Ergo, there is significant voltage drop across the transistor which reduces the voltage across the coil. That's why elect ignitions went to lower resistance coils: to compensate for the voltage lost, keeping the coil's current fairly constant.

If you use a low impedance coil with points, that put's the full 12V across it (14V engine running) which it was not designed for. It also increases the current through the bike's wiring to a level it was not designed for. Power dissipation in the coil is proportional to voltage SQUARED so the heat increase is significant.

maybe Dyna "overdesigns" it's coils so much they can handle the full 14V system voltage? I would not think so, but maybe. But your bike's wiring and alternator weren't designed for it.

This is the reason Z1 offers this warning:

Never select a coil with a lower resistance than your ignition system - this will cause the coils to overheat and burn out... It is OK to select coils with a slightly higher resistance.